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Anyone have experience with running an Artist's Alley tab...
a year ago
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I'm gonna be at TFF this year and I'd really like to try and grab a table in the Artist's Alley. It's gonna be my first time doing something like this at a con so!!!! I need some guidance lol
Like, I have a few handmade goods to sell on top of the commissions I plan to take at my table (badges and icons; small stuff) and wanna know if there are tips on how to set up and display those goods.
Also maybe handpoked tattoos but I don't think I can do that AT my table, it'd be more like "hey, this is my room, be here at this time for your lil tat", yaknow?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME SOBS
GET A SQUARE READER AND CHANGE
..or another credit card reader. Bring lots of change!
RULES
Familiarize yourself with the rules of the convention. Here's TFF's: https://www.furryfiesta.org/events/artist-alley
BUSINESS CARDS
Business cards are a small investment but are very helpful! Put your links, galleries, email, whatever you think is important for people to find you. Often, people will walk away from your table without buying anything, but a card will possibly make them a new future customer! Vistaprint.com has lots of options. Have a backup plan if you run out of cards, like a QR code people can scan to find your work online.
EXAMPLES
Print out some recent art examples! Hang them up! Put out a binder for people to peruse. Bring a couple extra to sell as prints! (You may not sell a lot of prints, but there WILL be at least one person who will snap them up.)
HEIGHT
I see a lot of first-timers with tables covered in flat objects (prints, examples, what have you) and they will be overlooked. Your table will be invisible to anyone further than 6 feet away from you. You need to go UP with your display! Wire storage cubes, display signs, wall hangings (if you're next to a wall).
WIRE STORAGE CUBES
There's a reason these little guys are a mainstay for many Artist Alley tables. They are cheap, easy to setup, transportable, and give you more real estate. Search for wire cube storage organizers to find many options.
There are also lighter weight options where instead of metal grids, the surface of the cubes are flat colored plastic. Just be aware of how you will have to display anything on them. (I use magnets on either side of the thing I'm hanging up to avoid tape or tearing my display materials.)
REAL ESTATE
Be aware of your space at the Artist Alley. TFF only gives you 4 foot wide by 28 inches. Tape off a section on a table at home and play around. Take lots of pictures so you can replicate it quickly at the convention!
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I typed this all up rather quickly before heading to work, but if you ever need more help, don't hesitate to reach out! I've sold specifically at TFF more than any other convention and I've been doing this for more than 15 years!
If you want to tattoo, get a license and proper setup and apply to be in the Den, and we'll consider it the same as any other vendor.